Kathy Giusti is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) and the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC).
In 1998, following her diagnosis with multiple myeloma, Ms. Giusti founded the MMRF to fund innovative myeloma research and drug discovery.
Having raised more than $120 million to date, the MMRF is the world's number one funder of myeloma research.
As an extension of the MMRF's mission, Ms. Giusti founded the MMRC in 2004 to enable leading research institutions to work with industry to speed the discovery and
development of effective new treatments.
Comprising 15 academic institutions across North America, the MMRC is widely recognized for breaking down barriers in tissue banking, data management, genomics, and
clinical trials, and is considered an optimal research model to accelerate the development of new therapies.
Ms. Giusti received her MBA in general management from Harvard Business School and graduated from the University of Vermont magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science
in Biological Sciences. She began her career in 1980 with Merck & Co., and later joined the Gillette Company. In 1993, she joined G.D. Searle & Co., where she last
served as Executive Director of Searle's worldwide arthritis franchise. Ms. Giusti has received several awards for her efforts to advance medical research and accelerate
drug development, including the Centennial Medal for Distinguished Public Service from the American Association for Cancer Research, the Partners in Progress Award
from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association's Woman of the Year Award, and Harvard Business School Entrepreneurial
Award. Her efforts have also been recognized by several notable media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The New Yorker, Forbes,
The Economist, Time, CNBC, CBS Evening News, and NBC Nightly News. Ms. Giusti has served on numerous boards, including the Institute of Medicine's National Cancer
Policy Board and the Cancer Leadership Council. Today, she continues to serve on the National Cancer Advisory Board, an appointment she received in 2003 from
President Bush, and is a member of the Board of Directors for IMS Health.
She lives in Connecticut with her husband, Paul, and her children, Nicole, who is 14, and David, who is 12.
Stephen Grand
President and Partner
Grand-Sakwa Properties
Mr. Grand has been President and Partner of Grand-Sakwa Properties, one of southeastern Michigan's major developers of residential and retail properties, since 1990. From 1980 to 2000, he was President and Owner of Deco-Grand, Inc., a manufacturer of precision components and assemblies for diesel engines and automotive industries. Mr. Grand has served on the boards of the Karmanos Cancer Institute, Focus Hope, and the American Technion Society, as well as on the Endowment Committee of the Jewish Federation of San Francisco. He is a member of the DeTocqueville Society of the United Way of Michigan and a member of the Northern California Presidents Organization. Mr. Grand received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the University of Michigan School of Engineering.
Eugene P. Grisanti
Retired Chairman, President and CEO
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.
Eugene P. Grisanti is the former Chairman, President and CEO of International Flavors & Fragrances, the world's largest flavor and fragrance company, a position he held for fifteen years, after serving as Senior Vice-President, General Counsel and other executive positions. He was a corporate attorney with the firm Fulton, Walter and Halley in New York City prior to joining IFF. Mr. Grisanti was elected to The Rockefeller University Board of Trustees in 1991, served as Chairman of The Rockefeller University Hospital Committee, and was elected Trustee Emeritus in 2000.
Mr. Grisanti is Managing Director of The Metropolitan Opera, Vice-Chairman of The New York Botanical Garden, Chairman Emeritus of The New York City Ballet, and Director Emeritus of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. He is also a member of the Boards of the Ambrose Monell Foundation and the G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation.
Eugene Grisanti received an A.B. from Holy Cross College, an LL.B. cum laude from Boston University, and an LL.M. from Harvard Law School.
Allan Heller
Operating Partner
Water Street Healthcare Partners
Mr. Heller is an Operating Partner with Water Street Healthcare Partners. Prior to joining Water Street Healthcare Partners, Mr. Heller was CEO of American Pharmaceutical Partners, an Investment Advisor on life science transactions to One Equity Partners, a private equity arm of JP Morgan Chase, and served as Senior Vice President and President of Global Renal Operations at Baxter Healthcare Corporation. Prior to these positions, Mr. Heller had an illustrious 23-year career at G.D. Searle, most recently as Executive Vice President and President of Searle Operations, and as a member of the Pharmacia Management Committee. Mr. Heller holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Chicago and earned an MBA in finance from DePaul University.
Frederick H. Joseph
Morgan Joseph & Company
Mr. Joseph joined Morgan Joseph in July 2001 and initiated the firm's adoption of its current full service middle market investment banking strategy.
He has over 40 years of industry experience. Mr. Joseph was the Chief Executive Officer of Drexel Burnham Lambert, and prior thereto had been the Chief Operating Officer of Shearson Hammill.
He is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Business School.
Anthony K. (Tony) Kesman
Independent Consultant to the Healthcare Industry
Tony Kesman is an independent consultant with more than 28 years of experience in the healthcare industry. He began his career at American Hospital Supply Corporation, where he was appointed Vice President of National Accounts. Following the company's merger with Baxter, Mr. Kesman was appointed to several leadership positions, including Vice President and General Manager of the Western Business Center, Vice President and General Manager of the ValueLink Business Center, President of the Critical Care Division, and President of Health Systems. After Allegiance Healthcare Corporation was spun out of Baxter, Mr. Kesman was named Corporate Vice President of Distribution, a member of the Allegiance Operating Management Team, and was later named President of Care Continuum Products and Services Group. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the MMRF, Mr. Kesman is a member of the Board of Directors of Children's Memorial Medical Center, Children's Memorial Foundation, and the Health
Industry Distributors Association. Mr. Kesman graduated from the University of Iowa and earned an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.
Thomas J. Kipps MD, PhD
Professor of Medicine and Deputy Director of Research
Moores UCSD Cancer Center
Dr. Kipps is a UCSD Professor of Medicine and Deputy Director of Research at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center. He received his PhD in Immunology and MD from Harvard University, and had his residency and fellowship training in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Genetics at Stanford University. Dr. Kipps has a national and international reputation for his work in cancer research, immunology, and gene therapy. He is the author of more than 200 publications and is the primary investigator on several peer-reviewed grants, including an award from NCI/NIH to fund the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Consortium (CRC). The CRC involves collaboration with eight other Cancer Centers around the nation. Kipps has 20 years' experience in combining research and clinical care responsibilities.
Lori Tauber Marcus
VP, General Manager, Strategic Initiatives
Pepsi-Cola North America Foodservice Division
Lori Tauber Marcus is Vice President/General Manager of Strategic Initiatives at Pepsi-Cola North America Foodservice Division. Ms. Tauber Marcus began her career at Pepsi as a Marketing Associate and held various roles in brand management, field marketing, and retail customer marketing. Ms. Tauber Marcus went on to become Director of the Foodservice Division's Restaurant Customer Marketing and Vice President of Pepsi's Foodservice Division before being appointed to her current position. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the MMRF, Ms. Tauber Marcus is a member of the Women's Foodservice Forum and is involved in the NRA's Marketing Executive Group. In 2004, Ms. Tauber Marcus was elected to the YWCA's Academy of Women Leaders for her contributions to the MMRF. Ms. Tauber Marcus earned her bachelor's degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Gerald McDougall
Partner
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Mr. McDougall is Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers Health Sciences Practice, where he provides services to academic medical centers, bioscience companies, pharmaceutical companies, research universities, colleges, health systems, and other research organizations. His practice provides a broad range of research business and compliance services, including strategic and business planning, financial analysis, research compliance, clinical research operations improvement, and information systems implementation services. In addition, his practice provides support services to the entire research continuum, from grant-funded basic science research, to translational research and clinical trials, including a dedicated group focusing on Clinical Research Consulting services.
William S. McKiernan
Chair and CEO
CyberSource Corporation
William McKiernan is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CyberSource Corporation. Prior to founding CyberSource, Mr. McKiernan was President and Chief Operating Officer of McAfee Associates, now Network Associates; Mr. McKiernan held this position during the company's initial public offering. Before joining McAfee, Mr. McKiernan was Vice President of Princeton Venture Research, Inc. and held management positions at ROLM/IBM. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the MMRF, Mr. McKiernan is the West Coast Chairman of the Boston College Technology Council. Mr. McKiernan holds a Bachelor of Science from Boston College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Charles B. Ortner
Senior Partner
Proskauer Rose LLP
Charles B. Ortner is a Partner at the New York-based Proskauer Rose LLP law firm, where he represents many of the world's leading recording artists, songwriters, record producers, music publishers and record companies in litigation, as well as a counselor and strategic advisor. Mr. Ortner also serves as National Legal Counsel to the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc. (the Grammy Award organization). Previously, Mr. Ortner served as an Aide to Mayor John V. Lindsay of New York City, and as an Assistant to United States Attorney Whitney North Seymour, Jr. in the Southern District of New York. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the MMRF, Mr. Ortner was a member of the Board of Trustees of the T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research, and currently serves as the President of the Kanye West Foundation, an organization dedicated to using music education to combat the drop out problem faced by inner city schools. Along with his two children, Mr. Ortner established the Jane Ortner Multiple Myeloma Research Fellowship at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center. Mr. Ortner received his bachelor's degree from Washington University in St. Louis and received his law degree from Brooklyn Law School.
Mike Mortimer
Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
Quintiles Transnational Corp.
Mike Mortimer is Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Quintiles Transnational Corp., which provides innovative development and commercialization solutions to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, helping to bring new medicines to market and increase sales faster.
He oversees the company's Human Resources, Corporate Communication, Legal and Risk Management, Real Estate and Facilities, and Global Security.
He is responsible for managing a worldwide staff of more than 400 and an annual budget of over $350 million.
Prior to joining Quintiles, Mr. Mortimer spent 10 years at Charles Schwab Corp. in a variety of executive positions, most recently as Senior Vice President of Human Resources for the retail and international divisions.
He began his career in human resources at Sprint Corporation in 1986 and holds a bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences from Ohio State University.
Edward J. Phillips
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Phillips Beverage Company
Chairman
Millennium Import LLC
Edward J. Phillips is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Phillips Beverage Company and Founder and Chairman of Millennium Import LLC. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the MMRF, Mr. Phillips serves as a trustee and a member of the Executive Committee of The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation, a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of The Jay Phillips Center for Jewish-Christian Learning at St. John's University / University of St. Thomas, a member of the Advisory Committee of the Givens Collection of African American Literature at the University of Minnesota. Mr. Phillips also served for seven years as an Executive Mentor for the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. Mr. Phillips graduated from Stanford University and earned his a Master's in clinical psychology and his law degree from University of Minnesota. Mr. Phillips is also a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.
William Wilson III
Chairman
Wilson Meany Sullivan LLC
William Wilson III is Managing Partner of Wilson Meany Sullivan LLC, a private real estate investment and development company. Previously, Mr. Wilson was Chairman of Cornerstone Properties, Inc., a real estate investment trust; President and Chairman of William Wilson & Associates; and Founder and President of Webcor Builders, Inc., a general contracting company. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the MMRF, Mr. Wilson was recently appointed by President Bush to the Board of Directors of the Presidio Trust, a federal agency that manages the long-term care of the Presidio, a former military post in San Francisco. Mr. Wilson is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Equity Office Properties and is a Trustee of the California Academy of Science and the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. Mr. Wilson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Stanford University.
Donna A. Zaccaro
President
WhatGoesAround.org
Donna Zaccaro is President of WhatGoesAround.org (WGA) an internet nonprofit with a mission of creating a nation of everyday philanthropists. In joining WGA, Ms. Zaccaro took a leave from the television and film production company she founded and ran, called DAZzling Media Inc. Prior to launching that company in 2001, Ms. Zaccaro was a producer for the Today Show at NBC News for eight years. Ms. Zaccaro has also had careers in running political campaigns for Geraldine Ferraro; in public affairs at The Bedford Kent Group, a marketing and communications firm she co-founded; and in investment banking at Solomon Brothers, Inc. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the MMRF, Ms. Zaccaro serves on the Board of Directors of the Arts Connection, a nonprofit that provides arts education to NYC Public Schools, and as a trustee on the Board of The Grace Church School, an independent school in New York City. Ms. Zaccaro holds a Bachelor of Art degree in comparative literature from Brown
University and an MBA in General Business Administration from Harvard Business School.
Meryl Zausner
Chief Financial Officer
Novartis Corporation
Meryl Zausner is the Chief Financial Officer of Novartis Corporation and a member of the company's Executive Committee. Ms. Zausner has worked in the Consumer Products and Pharmaceutical industries for 27 years. Previously, she was Vice President and CFO of Novartis Oncology. In addition to her responsibilities as CFO, Ms. Zausner chaired the Novartis Pharmaceuticals 2006 & 2007 Global Diversity Council, of which she was a founding member. She was also a founding member of the U.S. EWIN (Empowering Women to Impact Novartis) Initiative. In 2007, she was named Healthcare Businesswomen Association's Woman of the Year. Before joining Novartis, Ms. Zausner held a variety of positions with the Colgate Palmolive Company and spent three years working in Public Accounting. She has degrees in Economics and Accounting from the University at Albany as well as her CPA in New York.
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